Marrying The Prince

Carriage Ride

I've lived a life similar to Cinderella's so far, but today is my 19th birthday and nothing good has happened yet. "Haven! Come downstairs this instant!" Madame Emery yells up the grand staircase. I rush downstairs. "Yes, Madame?" I ask. "This is Sir Samuel, he works for the king! He says that they need maids in the castle. You will be going with him to to work in the castle from now on." Madame Emery explains politely. She gestures at the door and I walk through the doorway. Sir Samuel escorts me into the carriage.
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Am I dreaming? This seems so unrealistic to me. I thought I'd never actually escape my step-mother.
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I sit still and silent until he speaks to me. "Your name is Haven, correct?" He asks. "Yes, sir." I answer him. "You shouldn't have to be a maid." He says.
"Excuse me?" I reply. I can't really believe he just said that. "I remember your father. The royal family was always very fond of him. Your father always helped everyone that he could. He supplied food, furniture, horses, labor, and numerous other services to the castle on many occasions. He was a noble man." He tells me.
"Thank you." I reply. After a proper pause, I ask him, "What about my mother? Do you remember her?" I ask. "Of course. She was a very pleasant lady. Her family was quite rich. She grew up amongst the rich and the royal. She was always kind. She was loved by all. She was delightful. She gave up that lifestyle after she met your father at the castle they fell in love. They married and she moved in with him in at the farm house. She lived life like him from then on. Working hard on the farm. Being generous and receiving generosity in return. You should remember how it worked. They gave a lot, but they also sold things. People they helped almost always did things for them in return. They either paid handsomely or provided the same way your father did; gifts or services... Anyways, after a while they had you. Your mother died when you were young and your father died a few years ago. Since then you've had to work for Madame Emery." He tells me.
"How do you know all of that? You don't look old enough to have memories of my parents so long before I was born." I reply.
"Well, I don't actually. My father grew up with your parents. He has always loved to tell stories and your parents' is one of his favorites. He's not the only one. Everyone his age love their story. That's why I'm bringing you to the castle." He explains.
"So, you just decided to bring me to the castle. To be a maid because everyone our parents' age loves my family's story?" I ask, annoyed.
"Oh, no. No, I'm bringing you because the King is searching for a bride for his son and I knew you'd be perfect for him." He tells me.
"What? You can't just take me and marry me off to the Prince. I mean you need my consent, right? Also, I haven't even met him yet! I won't just marry him because you want me to." I complain. "Trust me. You'll change your mind. Promise that you'll give him a chance." He tells me.
"Ugh. I promise." I tell him. I really will give the Prince a chance. I only complained because I had to at least point out that the principle of it was questionable. Samuel and I don't talk to each other for the remainder of the ride.